The Carolina Hurricanes pulled off a blockbuster trade acquiring Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche. But now comes the big challenge of re-signing the star forward.
The Carolina Hurricanes made a blockbuster three-way deal Friday night, sending Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick to Colorado, as well as a 2025 third-round pick to Chicago, in return for forwards Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall. This was easily the biggest trade of the NHL season thus far and provides the Hurricanes with the current sixth-best point scorer in the league, giving their offense a very solid boost.
In response to last night's deal, Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky spoke to the media regarding the deal itself, what Rantanen can bring to the team and his future with the franchise. With the future component in mind, it is important to note that Rantanen is set to become a free agent this summer. That is, unless, the Hurricanes are able to sign the 28-year-old to an extension before free agency.
Tulsky was not shy about stating how great of a player Rantanen is and what he should inevitably bring to the Hurricanes as they look to make some noise in the 2025 post-season. And when the conversation shifted to Rantanen's expiring contract and a potential re-signing, Tulsky was honest, expressing how Rantanen will first need to see how he likes the team, culture and style of play. "I wouldn't expect him to sign away the next six, seven or eight years of his life without knowing what he was getting into. So, we have that opportunity. That's part of what doing it early buys is the chance for everybody to understand the relationship before we commit to anything," explained Tulsky. "Of course, we would love to get it done, and we will be working on that."
If Rantanen doesn't get an extension sorted out with Carolina prior to free agency he will inevitably get to decide for himself where he will end up, which Tulsky also touched on. "He's an incredible player and if he gets to free agency I'm sure there will be teams that will pay him a lot of money, and so our job in the next weeks and months is to make it so he wants to be here," said Tulsky. "He has the right as a free agent to decide where to sign and it may not come down to the money for him, it may come down to where he wants to be. And so, our goal is to make him want to be here, and then offer enough money that he doesn't have to think twice about it."
The vibe given by Tulsky wasn't one of absolute over-the-moon confidence, but he was definitely of the belief that if Rantanen is shown enough of the positives of the Hurricanes team and culture as a whole, that he thinks they could get something done. As he described it, the period the Hurricanes and Rantanen are in right now is "more of a recruiting pitch than a negotiation." However you slice it, the Hurricanes pulled off the biggest trade of the NHL season, and if they can get Rantanen re-signed for years to come, it will be that much more of a win for the 'Canes.
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